Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State Picks and Predictions: Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Fri Jan 02, 2026, 3:32 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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If there was any bowl game to end bowl season, it's this one. Not necessarily because Wake Forest is taking on Mississippi State at Bank of America Stadium, but because it is the Duke's Mayo Bowl. One of these coaches will be covered in mayonnaise around 11:30 p.m. eastern tonight in Charlotte. This is what it's all about people. As far as the actual football being played on the field, let's dive into our expert CFB picks and see who might come out on top. Cause you know we're betting the last (regular) bowl game of the postseason.
Best Bet: Mississippi State -3 (-103) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Go check out what else I've got on the slate for bowl season, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Duke's Mayo Bowl Insights
Can Robby Ashford cap off this great season with a bowl win?
Wake Forest ended the season going 8-4, which was their best regular season finish since 2021, but they did go 8-5 after a bowl win in 2022. They lost just four games this year, against NC State, at Duke, at Florida State and against No. 16 Georgia Tech by one in overtime. However, they did get a ranked win on their record by beating the No. 14 Virginia Cavaliers on the road, and also beat SMU 13-12 this year. Can they upset this SEC opponent?
The Bulldogs went just 5-7 this year but got over their win total with just one SEC victory (over Arkansas by three). Obviously they played a gauntlet, with losses to three different College Football Playoff teams, as well as to No. 15 Tennessee and No. 22 Texas, by a touchdown in each of those games. However, they did get a top 15 victory early in the year, beating No. 12 Arizona State at home on a last second touchdown.
Matchup Information – Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State – January 2
- Venue & Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
- Date: Friday, January 2, 2025
- Kick Off: 8:00 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: ESPN
Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel Sportsbook, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of January 2, 2025 at 3:07 p.m. eastern. Sign up today and get a $1,250 deposit bonus & 50 slot spins right away. Lucky Rebel offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.
Spread
- Wake Forest +3 (-118)
- Mississippi State -3 (-103)
Moneyline
- Wake Forest +119
- Mississippi State -145
Total
- Over 53 (-110)
- Under 53 (-110)
Wake Forest will be without running back Demond Claiborne who will be playing on Sundays next year. He led the team with 179 carries for 907 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 28 catches for 140 yards through the air as well. That's a lot of production to make up, especially for a team that runs the ball 52% of the time.
Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State Duke's Mayo Bowl Picks and Predictions
Blake Shapen may or may not play in his final collegiate football game
Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State Prediction: Mississippi State Wins and Covers, Over 53
Best Bet: Mississippi State -3 (-103) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Wake's offense is not good, and without Claiborne they are nothing. Why is the 5-7 team favored on a neutral site over their 8-4 opponent? Because we are all told it means more in the SEC. It hasn't seemed to be the case during this postseason, but the Bulldogs have a chance to prove that it's still the truth.
They weren't bowl eligible with just five wins, but after plenty of teams declined invites, of course the Bulldogs will opt to play more football. This team isn't going to wow you with stats on either side of the ball, but they were beat up all year long by VERY good football teams. And they still competed!
The Bulldogs were only favored three times this season, covering each of those by at least a field goal. Wake Forest's defense is north of 100 in interceptions forced and sacks, giving me faith in either Kamario Taylor or Blake Shapen having success for Mississippi State. I'm backing the team from the "football conference" in this game, we'll see if it pays off.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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